Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico Urges Medicare Beneficiaries To Enroll Early in Medicare's New Prescription Drug Coverage; Beneficiaries Encouraged to Select a Prescription Drug Plan to Manage Pharmacy Costs and Avoid Late Enrollment Penalties

Business Wire, Nov 16, 2005

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- As the enrollment period for the new Medicare prescription drug program (also known as Part D) officially begins today, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico (BCBSNM) is encouraging all Medicare beneficiaries to fully explore their options in the program and select a prescription drug plan that helps them more effectively manage their drug costs.

Medicare's new prescription drug coverage begins as soon as January 1, 2006, with an initial enrollment period from November 15, 2005, through May 15, 2006. Beneficiaries are encouraged to select a prescription drug plan and enroll early to avoid late enrollment penalties. For each month that an eligible beneficiary chooses to delay enrollment past the initial period, a 1% per month government-imposed penalty may be added to the cost of their monthly premium.

"Medicare's new prescription drug coverage is an excellent opportunity for beneficiaries to manage their current prescription drug expenses as well as protect themselves against possible high drug costs in the future," said Liz Watrin, president, BCBSNM. "As a trusted name for residents of New Mexico, Blue Cross and Blue Shield is available to provide beneficiaries and their caregivers with valuable information about enrollment options, dates and guidelines."

Last month, BCBSNM announced three innovative Blue MedicareRx(SM) prescription drug plans designed to provide a range of options to Medicare beneficiaries. These plans offer an extensive formulary and a broad pharmacy network, with more than 250 network pharmacies in New Mexico and more than 50,000 nationwide. BCBSNM is committed to making the plans easy to understand, easy on the budget and easy to use.

"This can be a very confusing time for Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers," said Watrin. "Blue Cross hopes to simplify the prescription drug plan selection and enrollment process and remind beneficiaries to first evaluate their current and expected future prescription drug usage. When comparing plan options, they should determine how each plan's benefits, formulary and pharmacy network stack up against their needs."

Key dates for Medicare beneficiaries to know are as follows:

--  November 15, 2005: Initial enrollment begins
        Medicare beneficiaries should enroll in their Medicare
        prescription drug plan of choice.

    --  January 1, 2006: Coverage becomes effective
        Prescription drug coverage becomes effective on January 1,
        2006, for beneficiaries who enroll prior to that date. For
        those who enroll on or after January 1, their coverage will
        become effective on the first day of the following month.

    --  May 15, 2006: Initial enrollment ends
        Penalties for delayed enrollment may begin accruing after this
        time. Enrollment periods will occur from November 15 through
        December 31 of each subsequent year.

Enrollment in Blue MedicareRx plans will be offered online, via mail and through BCBSNM's network of certified brokers who are available to help beneficiaries choose a plan. For more information on Blue MedicareRx or to order an enrollment kit, call 888-285-2254 (TTY users: 888-884-3757), Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., MST, or visit www.bcbsnm.com.

For more information about the new Medicare prescription drug program, visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-Medicare (800-633-4227, TTY/TDD users call 877-486-2048) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico:

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico is making Medicare Part D products available through HCSC Insurance Services Company, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company. These companies are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and offer or provide services for Medicare Part D products under HCSC Insurance Services Company's contract S5715 with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company.

(SM)Service Mark of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an Association of Independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.